Agenda and minutes

Councillor Armitage welcomed all present to the meeting and informed the Committee of her recent hospital visits and diagnosed illness. The Committee extended their best wishes and support for Councillor Armitage for her treatment during the coming months.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

No formal late items of business were added to the agenda; however Members were in receipt of an up to date version of Appendix 1 summary of changes to the large Casino Application Pack (minute 62 refers)

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct

There were no declarations of interest. However in relation to the report on the Large Casino, Councillor Selby stated that as he was Chair of City Centre Plans Panel and it was likely that future applications for planning permission for a Large Casino would be considered by that Panel, he wished to make it clear that he would treat individual planning applications on their own merits and within the remit of the Plans Panel. Similarly, he would consider any licensing applications in accordance with the Gambling Act 2005, the relevant Guidance and the LCC Statement of Licensing Policy and would not pre-determine any matter before him (minute 62 refers)

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bruce, Downes, R D Feldman, Khan and Wilson

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 15^th November 2011

(copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15^th November 2011 be agreed as a correct record

Minute 50 NVQ Working Group – Members noted the request that Councillor Khan be invited to attend future meetings of the NVQ Working Group

To consider the report of the Head of Licensing and Registration on the progress of the Large casino project and seeking approval of the draft application pack prior to the start of the Large casino application process.

(Report attached)

PLEASE NOTE that due to the volume of documentation, a copy of the application pack was despatched to Members of the Committee prior to Christmas in order for Members to have sufficient time to consider the contents.

Copies are available on request and Committee Members are requested to bring their existing copy to the meeting

The Head of Licensing and Registration submitted a report on the progress of the Large Casino project and seeking approval of the draft application pack prior to the start of the Large Casino application process. Due to the volume of documentation, a copy of the draft application pack had been despatched to Members of the Committee prior to Christmas in order for Members to have sufficient time to consider the contents.

Members were aware that the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Policy 2010-12 containing the statement of principles to be applied when determining the Large Casino Licence had been revised in acknowledgement of the start of the Large Casino process in Leeds. The revised Statement of Policy and the Council’s proposed response to the public consultation on the Large Casino section of that Policy were due to be presented to full Council on 18 January 2011 for approval.

A schedule of amendments to the Application Pack suggested since the Pack was despatched to Members in December 2011 was attached as Appendix 1 of the report and a further revised copy was tabled at the meeting. An extract from the Consultation Report on the Large Casino Section of the Statement of Licensing Policy 2010-12 containing matters relevant to non-statutory consultation on the Application Pack was attached at Appendix 2.

The Committee also noted receipt of a Briefing Note tabled at the meeting setting out the proposed timetable for the Stage 1 application process and its impact on the workload of the Sub Committees. Members noted the request to consider their availability to attend appropriate training and the additional meetings required to deal with both the SEV applications (June 2012) and the Casino Stage 1 applications (July 2012).

The Committee received clarification on the approach to be adopted by officers when liaising with applicants, especially during stage 2 of the application process. The Committee also discussed the implications for the authority should the Council exercise the power to pass a “no casino” resolution.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the Application Pack in preparation for the start of the Large Casino application process, which will be advertised on the 24^th January 2012

To note and comment on the Licensing Work Programme

(Schedule attached)

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the Licensing Work Programme

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 14^th February 2012 at 10:00 am

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 14^th February 2012 at 10.00 am